A 2009 criminal investigation was brought to a close earlier this month with the conviction of a former Allen County resident for passing bad checks, Rick Skilliter, Bluffton police chief, told The Icon today.

Bluffton police officials teamed up with American Township police officers to investigate complaints in both Bluffton and the Lima area involving the same suspect. Local victims in the case included Community Market and the Bluffton University.

Judge Richard K. Warren accepted a plea bargain agreement, which permitted Cynthia S. Hernandez to plead guilty to one count of Passing Bad Checks, a felony of the fifth degree.

Hernandez was sentenced to three years of community control and ordered to submit to random drug testing, seek and maintain employment, and make restitution to victims.

Community Market will be paid $480.45, and Bluffton University Bookstore will be paid $363.78. Additionally, payment to Barnes and Noble in Lima of $897.27 must be made.